Gov. Pat McCrory has signed 16 of the 53 bills on his desk before heading out of state on a personal trip with his wife on Tuesday.

The governor’s office said he is on a long-scheduled trip with First Lady Ann McCrory. The governor is not permitted to sign bills while he is out of state. He returns to North Carolina next week.

McCrory is expected to sign the budget bill later this month. He has until 11:59 p.m. July 31 to sign, veto or let bills become law without his signature. The governor has not publicly indicated that he has problems with any of the pending bills.

Among the 16 signed bills the governor’s office reported on Wednesday is House Bill 1033, which waives the fee for an identification card for those with developmental disabilities. The special cards are currently issued without fees to those who are blind, at least 70 years old, physically disabled or homeless.

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